Inflatable resuscitation face mask

ABSTRACT

An inflatable resuscitation face mask comprising a top sheet joined to a bottom sheet to form an inflatable pocket which when inflated forms a raised body having an apex and a lower perimeter, wherein inflation means is provided on the mask and an opening at the apex allows air to be administered through the opening to an area underneath the inflated mask.

This invention relates to a device, specifically a face mask, used forresuscitation, that reduces personal contact and possible crosscontamination.

Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training is becoming increasinglypopular in today's society as more members of the community value theadvantages of acquiring the required skills in the process of savinglives. Our society now embraces this opportunity but is still hesitantto apply resuscitation when needed due to the fear of contamination bytransmission of debilitating and possibly fatal viruses and bacterialinfections.

There exists some devices that have attempted to deal with this issue.These devices fit into the following two categories.

The first type of device is the lay over plastic sheet with a non-returnventilation valve that is compact enough to be carried by the rescuerbut only allows the ventilation to occur through the patient's mouth.This device does not lift the rescuer above the patient but only acts asa single layer barrier between the rescuer and the patient. The deviceis light and highly sensitive to breezes and air turbulence oftenfolding up upon itself resulting in possible cross contamination. Thesedevices do not install a sense of confidence in performing the requiredCPR task often resulting in tragedy.

The second type of device that is commonly used is the plastic injectionmoulded mask with a one way ventilation valve that covers the patient'snose and mouth. It is not small enough to be easily carried by theperson to the scene. These devices are often not used for the setpurpose as they are not readily available at the critical moment in timewhen CPR should be applied. The fear of possible cross contaminationreduces the rescuer's willingness to proceed without any form ofprotective barrier resulting in reduced or no assistance for thepatient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These problems are overcome by the present invention which provides aninflatable resuscitation face mask comprising a top sheet joined to abottom sheet to form an inflatable pocket which when inflated forms araised body having an apex and a lower perimeter, wherein inflationmeans is provided on the mask and an opening at the apex allows air tobe administered through the opening to an area underneath the inflatedmask.

The opening at the apex of the raised body is preferably provided with aone-way valve to allow the administration of air in only one direction,namely through the opening to the area underneath the inflated mask.

For reinforcing the conical shape of the inflated mask, it is preferableto provide ribs vertically located around the raised body and extendingbetween the apex and perimeter. The ribs are formed by joining the topand bottom sheets along a rib section.

In the preferred embodiment the ribs extend only part way between theapex and perimeter terminating at a point spaced from the perimeter suchthat an annular cushion of air is formed at the perimeter when the maskis inflated.

An inflation valve is preferably located on the top sheet to allow forinflation of the mask by the supply of air to the pocket. The mask ispreferably formed from soft plastics and can therefore be folded into acompact area when deflated.

In one form of the invention, the mask has an eyelet on either side toinclude an elasticized or adjustable strap to be attached to secure themask to the patient.

Another form of the invention, the mask has a saddle attached to the nonreturn ventilation valve to include an elasticized or adjustable strapto be attached to secure the mask to the patient.

The present invention also provides an inflatable resuscitation facemask pack comprising:

a top sheet joined to a bottom sheet to form a inflatable pocket whichwhen inflated forms a raised body having an apex and a lower perimeter,wherein inflatable means is provided on the mask and an opening at theapex allows air to be administered through the opening to an areaunderneath the inflated mask; and

a container for storing the mask therein when deflated and folded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To assist with the understanding of the invention reference will now bemade to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an inflatable face mask according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 shows the application of the inflatable face mask by a rescuer ona patient;

FIG. 3 a shows a cross sectional view of the mask folded and packed;

FIG. 3 b is a perspective view of the packed mask; and

FIG. 4 shows the inflatable face mask in cross section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present inflatable face mask is used for the performance of FirstResponder Patient Resuscitation in an emergency. The mask is compact andformed from soft plastic. It comprises a moulded one way ventilationvalve to reduce personal contact and possible fluid and particleexchange between patient and rescuer. The mask comprises a pocket whichwhen inflated forms a raised body. An opening at the apex of the raisedbody allows air to be administered through the opening to the mouth andnasal regions of a patient underneath the inflated mask.

Referring to the Figures and particularly FIG. 1, it can be seen thatthe inflatable mask 10 is made of a top sheet 7 and a bottom sheet 8 ofsoft plastic joined together to form a pocket which is inflated to formthe raised body 18. In the preferred embodiment the raised body isconical in shape. The top and bottom sheets are joined at a perimeterseam 36 on the annular lower perimeter, or circumference 1. They arealso joined together at the top, or apex, of the inflated mask at thecentrally located one way ventilation valve 13. A series of verticalcontact joints 4, or ribs, join together the top and bottom sheets. Theribs run up and down the mask from the centrally located one wayventilation valve 13 to close the perimeter 1 of the mask. An inflationvalve 5 sits on the side of the mask. The mask has printed informationin various positions 6 on the plastic sheets.

Referring to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the inflated mask fits snugglyover the patient's face allowing for both nasal and mouth resuscitation.The rescuer 16 holds the mask in position over the nasal and mouthregion and blows into the ventilation one way valve 13 to apply CPR tothe patient 14. The mask's conical shape lifts the rescuer above thepatient distancing the rescuer from the patient.

The lifting of the ventilation valve is achieved as the twin-skinned,that is double sheeted, device has a circular or elliptical shape withthe series of vertical contact joints that act as ribbing support. Oninflation these ribs are emphasized as the air is forced between themresulting in a firm uplifted cone shape.

The lower edge of the present device is allowed by design to hold air oninflation resulting in a cushion ring 37 that circumnavigates thecomplete device. This soft plastic cushion fits firmly across the bridgeof the nose, around the cheek area and across the chin. The soft plasticcushion seals the area easily when held in position by the rescuerensuring maximum effectiveness of ventilation through both the nose andthe mouth as required.

The ventilation valve is the only point of contact for the rescuer toapply their mouth to perform CPR. The valve closes off when the patientexhales reducing the possibilities of cross contamination. The one wayventilation valve can be made of any suitable material that can be usedto construct an effective mechanism, such as moulded plastic.

The device is made of soft plastic sheeting with basic usageinstructions and an additional inflation valve situated on the device.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b display a keyring 21 incorporating the mask folded andpacked, and demonstrates the relative size and compactness of the mask.The mask in its deflated form 22 is folded so as to fit inside a small,compact package 23. This package can be attached to a keyring, belt,placed in pocket, purse or glove box or otherwise on the person in orderto be available to the rescuer to meet any possible resuscitationrequirements.

The mask 10 is inflated by blowing into the inflation valve 13 allowingfor air to fill between the top sheet 7 and the bottom sheet 8. FIG. 4shows an inflated mask in cross section. The ribs 4 allow for inflationof the conical body 18 which lifts the rescuer's mouth away from thepatient. The ribs 4 do not continue all the way to the perimeter seam 36where the top and bottom sheets join and thereby allow for a cushion ofair 37 to exist, this cushion resting on the patient's face andassisting to form an air seal underneath the mask. The one wayventilation valve 13 is located at the top of the mask and has a singledirection mechanism 38 to assist in the prevention of the back flow ofany fluid or particles through the valve from the patient to therescuer.

The present device is easily carried on an individual as it is capableof being folded into a size that is small enough to be carried in apurse, a key-ring holder, pocket, car accessories area, neck chain andsatchel or as a belt fixture. At the same time the device also inflatesto a full size resuscitation mask that allows the patient to beventilated both through their nose and their mouth. The inflated masklifts the rescuer above the patient thereby providing an air barrierdistancing the rescuer from the patient. Incorporating the one wayventilation valve at the top of the mask also prevents direct contactbetween the rescuer and patient.

It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the inventionthat many modifications may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention. For example, in another embodiment of theinvention the mask has eyelets on either side to which an elasticized oradjustable strap is attached for securing the mask to the patient.Alternatively, a saddle attached to the non return valve retains theelasticized or adjustable strap which can be used to secure the mask tothe patient.

1. An inflatable resuscitation face mask comprising: a top sheet joined to a bottom sheet to form an inflatable pocket which when inflated forms a self-supporting raised body that is inflated substantially from an apex of the raised body to a lower perimeter; inflation means provided on the pocket and an opening at the apex to allow air to be administered through the opening to an area underneath the inflated mask; and ribs located on the raised body and joining the top and bottom sheets together to define a plurality of air passages between the ribs which extend from the lower perimeter of the raised body to the apex of the raised body and into which air is forced when the mask is inflated; wherein in its deflated state the mask is capable of being folded.
 2. A mask according to claim 1 wherein a one-way valve is provided at the opening allowing only the administration of air in a direction through the opening to the area underneath the inflated mask.
 3. The mask according to claim 1 wherein the ribs are located longitudinally on the raised body between the apex and the lower perimeter.
 4. The mask according to claim 1 wherein the rids extend only part way between the apex and lower perimeter, terminating at a point spaced from the lower perimeter such that an annular cushion of air is formed at the lower perimeter when inflated.
 5. The mask according to claim 1 wherein the lower perimeter is annular and the raised body is conical when inflated.
 6. The mask according to claim 1 wherein the inflation means is an inflation valve located on the top sheet which provides access for air into the pocket.
 7. The mask according to claim 1 wherein the mask is formed from soft plastics such that the mask can be folded into a compact area when deflated.
 8. An inflatable resuscitation face mask pack comprising: a top sheet joined to a bottom sheet to form an inflatable pocket which when inflated forms a self-supporting raised body that is inflated substantially from an apex of the raised body to a lower perimeter; inflation means provided on the pocket and an opening at the apex to allow air to be administered through the opening to an area underneath the inflated mask; and ribs located on the raised body and joining the top and bottom sheets together to define a plurality of air passages between the ribs which extend from the lower perimeter of the raised body to the apex of the raised body and into which air is forced when the mask is inflated; wherein in its deflated state the mask is capable of being folded; and a container for storing the mask therein when deflated and folded.
 9. The mask pack according to claim 8 wherein the container forms part of a key ring, neck chain or any other convenient carry means.
 10. A mask pack according to claim 8 wherein a one-way valve is provided at the opening allowing only the administration of air in a direction through the opening to the area underneath the inflated mask.
 11. The mask pack according to claim 8 wherein the ribs are located longitudinally on the raised body between the apex and the lower perimeter.
 12. The mask pack according to claim 8 wherein the ribs extend only part way between the apex and lower perimeter, terminating at a point spaced from the lower perimeter such that an annular cushion of air is formed at the lower perimeter when inflated.
 13. The mask pack according to claim 8 wherein the lower perimeter is annular and the raised body is conical when inflated.
 14. The mask pack according to claim 8 wherein the inflation means is an inflation valve located on the top sheet which provides access for air into the pocket.
 15. The mask pack according to claim 8 wherein the mask is formed from soft plastics such that the mask can be folded into a compact area when deflated. 